Docker or Podman with Kubernetes – What Should You Use?

When building containerized applications and managing cloud-native infrastructure, developers and DevOps engineers often ask: Should I use Docker or Podman with Kubernetes?

This guide breaks down the key differences, real-world use cases, and how Eduarn can help you master containerization through expert-led courses, training, and certification programs.

🚀 What Are Docker and Podman?

Docker is the industry-standard container engine known for its simplicity and robust ecosystem. Podman, developed by Red Hat, is a daemonless, rootless container engine that's becoming a popular alternative, especially in enterprise Linux environments.

📦 What is an OCI Image?

An OCI image refers to a container image format that follows the Open Container Initiative (OCI) standard. These images are designed to ensure compatibility and portability across different container runtimes like Docker, Podman, containerd, and CRI-O.

• Standardized Format: OCI images include a manifest, configuration data, and a set of image layers.
• Cross-Compatible: Built once, they can be used across multiple tools and platforms that support the OCI specification.
• Tool-Agnostic: You can build OCI-compliant images using tools like Docker, Podman, or Buildah.
• Registry Support: OCI images can be stored and pulled from most container registries (e.g., Docker Hub, GHCR, Quay.io).
• Security & Integrity: They include cryptographic hashes to verify the image layers have not been tampered with.

Using OCI images in your DevOps or Kubernetes workflows ensures you're aligned with industry standards and can confidently switch tools without rebuilding your containers.

🧩 Kubernetes and the Dockershim Deprecation

As Kubernetes deprecated Dockershim, the industry started moving toward runtimes like containerd and CRI-O. While Docker images are still supported, Docker as a runtime engine is not directly integrated anymore.

This makes Podman a more natural fit for Kubernetes clusters, especially when using Red Hat OpenShift or other CRI-O-compliant platforms.

📘 Real-World Example: Using Podman with Kubernetes

With Podman, you can generate Kubernetes-compatible YAML directly from a container:

podman generate kube my-container > my-deployment.yaml

This file can be applied directly using kubectl, making it perfect for infrastructure-as-code workflows.

🧠 Learning Curve: Docker vs Podman

• Docker: Easiest for beginners. Simple CLI and wide documentation support.
• Podman: CLI-compatible with Docker but requires deeper knowledge of Linux namespaces and systemd for advanced use.

💼 Which One Should You Learn?

If you're just starting with containers, begin with Docker. Once you're comfortable, explore Podman to understand its security and enterprise benefits.

🎓 Get Trained with Eduarn LMS

Eduarn offers professional-level container and Kubernetes training through interactive labs, real-world projects, and exam-prep guidance.

• 🖥️ Live Courses: Learn Docker, Podman, and Kubernetes from certified trainers
• 🔬 Hands-On Labs: Practice real deployments in safe environments
• 📜 Certification Tracks: Prepare for CKA, CKAD, and DevOps certifications

📈 Career Benefits of Learning Docker and Podman

• Stand Out to Employers: Mastering both tools makes you DevOps-ready
• Higher Pay: Containerization and Kubernetes skills are top-paying in tech
• More Opportunities: From startups to enterprises, container skills are in demand

✅ Summary: Which Is Right for You?

• Choose Docker if you're starting out or building in local/dev environments
• Choose Podman for production, enterprise, or Kubernetes-native systems

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install both Docker and Podman?

Yes, but keep them isolated to avoid conflicts. Use virtual machines or containers when testing side-by-side.

What is the main difference between Docker and Podman?

Docker uses a centralized daemon, while Podman is daemonless and can run rootless, enhancing security.

Is Podman a drop-in replacement for Docker?

Mostly yes. Podman supports Docker CLI syntax and Docker images, but not all features are identical.

Can I use Docker images in Podman?

Yes. Podman supports Docker image formats and can run Docker-built containers directly.

Is Podman more secure than Docker?

Yes. Podman’s rootless mode allows containers to run without root privileges, increasing system security.

Which one integrates better with Kubernetes?

Podman integrates well with Kubernetes by generating YAML files, but Docker has more mature tooling.

Can Podman replace Docker Desktop on Windows/Mac?

Yes, using Podman Machine for Linux VMs. It's a lighter alternative to Docker Desktop.

Is Docker deprecated in Kubernetes?

No, Docker is not deprecated entirely. Docker Shim was removed, but containerd and CRI-O support Docker images.

What does 'daemonless' mean in Podman?

Podman doesn’t require a long-running background service to manage containers, unlike Docker.

Does Podman support Docker Compose?

Yes, with the `podman-compose` tool. It mimics Docker Compose but with limitations.

Which is faster: Docker or Podman?

Podman can be faster due to its lightweight, daemonless architecture, especially in rootless mode.

Can Podman generate Kubernetes YAML files?

Yes, using the podman generate kube command to export configurations.

What is a Pod in Podman?

A Pod in Podman is a group of one or more containers sharing the same network namespace, similar to Kubernetes Pods.

Which is easier to use for beginners: Docker or Podman?

Docker is easier due to more extensive documentation and GUI tools like Docker Desktop.

Can I run Kubernetes with Docker?

Yes, using Docker Desktop or Minikube with Docker as the container runtime.

Does Podman support systemd integration?

Yes. Podman can generate and manage systemd service files for container auto-start.

Is Podman supported in CI/CD pipelines?

Yes. Podman CLI can be used in CI/CD scripts similarly to Docker.

Does Podman work on macOS?

Yes, using Podman Machine with a Linux virtual machine under the hood.

Can Podman push and pull from Docker Hub?

Yes. Podman supports Docker Hub and other container registries via standard OCI-compatible methods.

Is Podman compatible with Kubernetes CRI?

Not directly. For CRI compatibility, CRI-O is typically used, but Podman can be used for YAML generation and development.

Can I migrate Docker containers to Podman?

Yes. You can use the same images and often the same CLI commands with minor adjustments.

Which container runtime does Kubernetes use?

Primarily containerd or CRI-O as of Kubernetes v1.20+. Docker is no longer the default via dockershim.

What are the disadvantages of Podman?

Smaller ecosystem and less GUI support compared to Docker. Some Docker features like Swarm are not available.

Does Docker support rootless containers?

Partially. Docker introduced rootless mode, but it's less mature than Podman's rootless capabilities.

Is Docker or Podman better for production?

Both are viable. Docker has more tooling, while Podman is favored for its enhanced security in regulated environments.

Can Podman run Dockerfiles?

Yes. You can build images from Dockerfiles using podman build.

Can Podman manage volumes like Docker?

Yes. Podman supports volume creation, mounting, and management similarly to Docker.

How do I start Kubernetes YAML in Podman?

Use podman play kube file.yaml to deploy a Kubernetes YAML locally.

What’s the use of “podman machine” on Mac/Windows?

It sets up a Linux virtual machine to run Podman containers on non-Linux platforms.

Does Podman have a GUI like Docker Desktop?

Not officially, but third-party tools or cockpit-podman on Linux can offer a basic GUI.

Can I alias Docker to Podman?

Yes. You can create an alias (e.g., alias docker=podman) to use Docker commands via Podman.

How do I build images with Podman?

Use podman build -t image-name . just like Docker.

Does Podman support container networking?

Yes. Podman supports bridge, host, and other network modes like Docker.

Is Podman supported in Red Hat and CentOS?

Yes. It’s the default container engine in RHEL 8+ and CentOS 8+.

Does Podman support plugins like Docker?

No official plugin system yet, but extensibility is possible with scripts and wrappers.

Can I use Kubernetes YAML created by Docker in Podman?

Yes, with some adjustments. Podman can run compatible YAML via podman play kube.

Which container engine is best for local development?

Docker is easier for local dev due to GUI tools, but Podman is more secure and script-friendly.

Does Podman auto-restart containers?

Podman doesn't do this natively. Use systemd integration for restart policies.

Is Podman open-source?

Yes. It’s fully open-source and maintained by Red Hat and community contributors.

Does Podman use containerd?

No. Podman is a standalone container engine and doesn’t rely on containerd.

Which has better logging features: Docker or Podman?

Both offer comparable logging. Podman integrates well with journald on systemd systems.

Is Podman compatible with Minikube?

Yes. Minikube supports Podman as a container runtime using the --driver=podman flag.

Can Podman manage remote containers?

Yes. Podman supports remote connections using RESTful APIs and SSH transport.

Does Docker or Podman support multi-arch builds?

Docker supports this via Buildx. Podman also supports multi-arch builds but with more setup.

How does Podman store images?

Podman stores images in OCI-compatible formats and uses container storage in user space when rootless.

Is Podman supported by cloud providers?

Not directly, but you can use Podman to develop images locally and push to any OCI-compliant registry used by cloud platforms.

Can I run Podman containers in production clusters?

Yes. Many production clusters run containers built by Podman, especially in OpenShift or CRI-O environments.

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